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"Preparing to configure windows" problem, possible hdd corruption
A couple days ago, I lost access to the networking tab of the control panel. I tried accessing it because as of that point, I couldn't load certain pages, so I thought I'd reset my wireless adapter, which has worked in the past for this sort of thing. However, by entering safe mode with networking, I was able to reset it there, and everything was working just fine.
This was about a week ago. 3 days ago, it says it needs to update windows. I do it, then turn it off for the night. Next time I go on, its preparing to configure windows. I, needing to get on ASAP at that time, restarted in order to avoid this, which has worked in the past with seemingly no problems. It boots up again, same message. Fast forward to several attempts of screwing around with safe mode with and without networking, and nothing has changed.
I give in and let it update, which ends up taking about 3 hours. I log in, and networking control panel is still messed up, and apparently now my copy of windows is no longer genuine (was purchased legally several years ago, no longer have the disc). Internet worked somewhat, with things like Facebook working, but not much else. I restart again, and it goes right back to the original "preparing windows" screen. Hell, I cant even access safe mode with networking anymore because I've started getting the message there too.
My question is: is my harddrive beginning the process of kicking the bucket? Is my windows install corrupt? The hdd is almost six years old now, and has seen heavy use.
Any and all help/advice is appreciated, as it is essential to my work.
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